Guru Arjan Dev was born here in 1563. This was the family
home of Guru Amar Das who founded the town of Goindwal and settled
down here upon becoming Guru on the advice of Guru Amar Das. In this
same house Guru Ram Das was installed as Guru in 1574. Guru Amar Das
left this world here in 1574 and Guru Ram Das left this world here in
1581.

Gurdwara Guru Ka Mahl, Dist. Amritsar

It was in the house here that Guru Arjan Dev was married. Guru Arjan
Dev was also installed as Guru here in 1581. This was the home of Guru
Ram Das and his family. Guru Ram Das founded the city of Ramdaspur
(modern day Amritsar) and started the excavation of the 'pool of
nectar' called Amritsar. Guru Hargobind lived here for some time and
was also married here. This is also the birthplace of Guru Hargobind's
sons Baba Atal Rai and Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Sri Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple),
Dist. Amritsar

The Harmandir Sahib (meaning Temple of God) is also commonly known as
the Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib (Divine Court). The Golden Temple is
a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the
Sikhs. It is a source of inspiration for all Sikhs and their chief
place of pilgrimage. The temple with it's glistening gold covered
exterior stands in the middle of the tank of nectar. The Harmandir
Sahib has entrances and doors on all four sides. Guru Arjan Dev
exclaimed; "My faith is for the people of all castes and all
creeds from whichever direction they come and to whichever direction
they bow." Guru Amar Das asked Ram Das to build a central place
of congregation for the Sikhs. Guru Ram Das started excavation work in
1577 during his lifetime. Guru Arjan Dev completed excavation of the
Tank known as Amritsar (The Pool of Nectar) in 1588. Guru Arjan Dev
then started construction of the Temple building itself which was
finally completed in 1601. The first edition of the Holy Book of the
Sikh's The Guru Granth Sahib was installed there in 1604 with Baba
Buddha as the first granthi (caretaker of the book). The last Sikh
Guru to live in Amritsar was Guru Hargobind. In 1664 Guru Tegh Bahadur
visited The Golden Temple but was refused entry by the corrupt temple
caretakers, the Masands. The Golden Temple has always been a rallying
point for Sikhs throughout it's history. Around 1740 Massa Ranghar,
the Muslim ruler of Amritsar desecrated the Temple by using it as a
dancing hall. He was killed by the Sikh hero Mahtab Singh. In 1761 the
Afghan Ahmed Shah Abdali blew up the Temple and filled in the Sacred
Tank with refuse. The great Sikh martyr Baba Deep Singh laid down his
life in revenge. The construction of the Golden Temple as it appears
today was begun in 1764 when Jassa Singh Ahluwalia laid the foundation
stone. Many of the doors, walls and domes were covered with copper
sheets overlaid with gold during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Gurdwara Sri Tarn Taran Sahib, Dist.
Amritsar

Around 1590 Guru Arjan Dev set out on a tour of the country between
the rivers Ravi and Beas. Here Guru Arjan Dev bought some land and
laid the foundation of a Gurdwara in honor of Guru Ram Das and started
the excavation of a tank even larger than Amritsar. The Gurdwara has
one of the largest tanks and resembles the Golden Temple, except that
it is built on the side of the tank and has a marble exterior. Guru
Arjan Dev also established the first home for lepers in India at Tarn
Taran.

Gurdwara Tham Sahib, Kartarpur, Dist.
Jalandhar

When visiting the Jalandhar area Guru Arjan Dev purchased some land
and founded the town of Kartharpur. A sandalwood post (Tham) stands in
the Gurdwara, Guru Arjan Dev had stuck it into the ground exclaiming "This
shall be the support of our faith."

Gurdwara Bath Sahib, Dist. Gurdaspur

The ascetic son of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the founder of the Udasi order Baba
Sri Chand lived here deep in the forest for the last part of his life.
Baba Sri Chand was visited here by Guru Arjan Dev who told Baba Sri
Chand about the hostility of the Gurus elder brother. Baba Sri Chand
replied: "This will be his undoing and ruin both in this world
and the next". Guru Hargobind also visited Baba Sri Chand here
and when Baba Sri Chand complimented the Guru on his chivalry and
piety, Guru Hargobind replied with great humility, "It is all the
result of your blessing". Guru Hargobind also gave his son Baba
Gurditta to Baba Sri Chand as the next leader of the Udasi order. Baba
Sri Chand died and was cremated here in 1612 at the ripe old age of
118.